Accreditation
Missouri Western is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), one of the six regional accrediting associations in the United States. HLC accredits institutions of higher education in 19 states and has approximately 1,000 member institutions.
Accreditation supports our ongoing focus on institutional improvement, ensures that we remain accountable to our constituencies, and provides us with a broad framework for action as we work to achieve our mission.
Missouri Western’s accreditation was reaffirmed on January 24, 2017 and participates in the Open Pathway. We value the insights provided through the accreditation process and seek to use this information to strengthen our institution.
Missouri Western is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA), which provides a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. When states join SARA, they agree to follow uniform processes for approving their eligible institutions’ participation. They also agree to deal with other states’ SARA institutions in a common way when those institutions carry out activities in SARA states other than their own. For a list of schools holding NC-SARA membership, please click here.
Specialized accreditations include:
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, AACSB International
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education
- Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
- Council on Social Work Education
- Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET
- National Association of Schools of Music
Missouri Western also has the All-Steinway School designation, the American Chemical Society curriculum approval, and the American Bar Association approval.
OUR MISSION
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning.
OUR VISION
Missouri Western will be the premier open access regional university, known for transforming the lives of our students and the communities we serve.
OUR DIVERSITY COMMITMENT
As a student-centered learning community Missouri Western is dedicated to inclusion and the promotion of diversity as essential to our mission as a public university. This commitment contributes to transforming lives and demonstrates our values of freedom, respect and courage.
OUR MASCOT
A griffon is a mythical creature that is half lion and half eagle. It was chosen in 1917-18 as the mascot of St. Joseph Junior College, the institution which later became Missouri Western State University.
The Griffon was selected because it was considered a guardian of riches, and education is viewed as a precious treasure.
Its wings are spread in the shape of the state of Missouri to signify the union of the college with the state university system in 1977.
OUR VALUES
Service – We share the common purpose of serving students, one another, and the people of the region.
Quality – We are committed to the quality of our programs, our students, and our partnership with the people of the region.
Enthusiasm – We are enthusiastic about learning and confident that we can make a difference in the lives of students through their learning.
Freedom – We promote the free exchange of ideas that makes education liberating and democracy unique.
Respect – We act as individuals and as a campus community with respect for diversity and for the best in human potential.
Courage – We seek the challenge and adventure of shaping the future with an increasingly global perspective.